Public Garden Career Center - View Internship

The University of Delaware Botanic Gardens seeks a motivated and talented individual for its program in Plant Curation. This program provides a unique learning opportunity to an individual interested in a curatorial career at botanic gardens, arboreta or other public horticulture institutions. The student will earn a Master of Science degree in the Plant and Soil Science Department at the University of Delaware. The successful applicant will receive an annual stipend of $22,300 and free tuition.

Experience will be gained through plant recording and their thesis project. The student will be trained using BG Base and BG Map with GPS location. The student will work at the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens (UDBG) as plant curator and will participate as a volunteer at other local institutions to experience varying curation practices and philosophies. Working at other institutions will provide hands-on experience as a plant recorder and provide practical experience in some of the issues faced by a curator. Additionally, the student will complete a thesis project agreed upon in consultation with their advisor.

Applicants must have a strong knowledge of woody plants, as well as an undergraduate degree in botany, horticulture, plant science or related field. Previous work experience in a botanic gardens or arboreta is not required but is preferred, as is a desire to choose living collections management and curation as a career. They should also have strong written and oral communication skills, the ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, and the ability to work both as part of a team and independently.

The student reports directly to the director of the UDBG. For more information, contact Dr. John Frett, Director of the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens (jfrett@udel.edu). To apply, visit the University of Delaware graduate application web site, http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/applicants/ , complete the application and send a letter of intent to Dr. John Frett, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19717. Applications will be accepted until 1 March 2013 or until a suitable candidate is identified.